I've been a television reporter for most of my adult life. As journalists, we've been taught to write the facts, never be bias and never give your opinion.
I was working at a television station two years ago when the bosses came down with a requirement---START BLOGGING! I was reluctant because I didn't know what a blog was all about and I feared saying too much.
It probably would have been a good idea for my former managers to give us some guidelines and suggestions on how to blog. It felt like they threw us in the water and said start swimming.
Blogging is truly in my opinion (oh no she didn't) freedom of expression.
So how do you blog when you're a journalist surrounded by rules? Here are a few tips:
Neil McCartney is a photojournalist in Johannesburg. In his blog he tells you how he feels being on the edge of the news on a daily basis.
He puts his passion into it. One minute he's covering riots and the next it could be the ballet or a soccer game. You can tell he's found his passion.
Focus on the people:
Alan W. King is a journalist who blogs about artists and people doing extraordinary work in their communities.
Alan does a great job bringing readers good people stories. It's what I call finding those "hidden little treasures." He also does his own commentary.
Expand on your beat:
Pilar Marrero is a reporter for the Spanish language newspaper,
La Opinion in Los Angeles. She has a weekly syndicated column, Actualidad Política. As a senior writer she covers issues affecting the Latino community in the U.S. Her blog is an extension of that work. She blogs about politics, immigration and other issues.
Share your personal journey:
Cammi Clark is the Managing Editor of the Scotsman Press. Her current blog "
Journey To Japan" is about her part in a study exchange program in Japan. She's blogging about her everyday experiences.
What I like about Cammi's blog is that she makes me feel like I'm going through the experience with her.
Involve your readers/viewers:
Patricio Espinosa wanted to offer readers more than what traditional media is offering the public. So the digital journalist started
Alamo City Times.
It's a hyper local community journalism effort. He invites local bloggers to share their stories, photographs, video and anything else.
When you allow the community to be part of the blog---they are loyal and come back again and again.
Blogs are important, because they allow us to interact more with our readers/viewers. Make sure they can leave comments and suggestions.
Get started on your blog and let me know about it. Also if you have a favorite blog by a journalist---share it!
When it comes to blogging or writing for the web; there is no easy way to find out if someone is lifting your work. I mean do you know if someone has stolen your written word and taken credit for it somewhere else?
